Chappaqua must not stand in the way of progress

7:16 PM,
Feb. 10, 2014

A fire truck passes by the Hunts Place site where an affordable housing complex is planned in Chappaqua. The plan is being challenged by some officials. One argument against the 28-unit affordable housing plan has cited a lack of room for firetrucks at the location. Above, a demonstration shows that a firetruck would have enough room to reach the site.

Written by

Randolph McLaughlin

This week, a state panel will likely rule on whether to grant or deny a variance to allow construction of 28 affordable housing units in Chappaqua. A denial would severely set back a project that has been in the works for more than three years. On the surface, the future of a mere 28 units of workforce housing situated in the upper-class enclave might seem inconsequential. However, surprising local resistance to desegregate housing in Westchester - in defiance of a 2009 federal agreement - means that the outcome of this decision will resonate throughout the county, and has the potential to set ...